Craig Morgan

I was lucky enough to be in attendance at the Ryman Auditorium on December 30, 2011 for the Grand Ole Opry show. First of all, just to enter into the legendary Ryman was the real highlight of my trip to Nashville. All of the history can be felt immediately as soon as you walk into the building. It was, to my delight, much smaller than expected and in prestine condition.

As for the show itself, it was amazing to see all of the different acts come out for their 1 or 2 song sets, and how flawlessly and professionally everything was run. Little Jimmy Dickins had the crowd roaring with his hilarious stand-up between songs. He was not announced on the bill before the show, so when he showed up on stage it was a great surprise to all. For being over 90 years old, he sounded clear and much better than expected.

There were highlights all throughout the show: Jimmy Wayne put forth an emotional performance with “Paper Angels and “I Love You This Much” and Craig Morgan had fans singing along to “What I Like About Sundays” and “This Old Boy”. Mandy Barnett showed her vocal talents as she belted out Ernest Tubb’s “Walking The Floor Over” and “Faded Love”. Riders in the Sky had fans reminiscing with their song “Rawhide” and Jean Shepard sang her classics “Tennessee Waltz” and “I’m Tired Of Playing Second Fiddle to a Guitar”. Russell Moore & 3rd Time Out, who are the reigning Bluegrass Vocalists of the Year, showed off their skills with guitar rifts, banjo’s and fiddles galore. Restless Heart closed out the show with two of their #1’s from the 1980’s: “I’ll Still Be Loving You” and “Why Does It Have To Be”.

Overall, the show was an amazing performance of entertainment: from music to jokes to legendary figures and stars of today. If you are ever in the Nashville area, make sure you take a Tour of the Ryman and catch a Grand Ole Opry show.

John Conlee:

Craig Morgan:

Little Jimmy Dickins:

Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press:

Mandy Barnett:

Riders In the Sky:

Russell Moore & 3rd Time Out:

Jimmy Wayne:

Mike Snider:

Jean Shepard:

Restless Heart:

Other Pictures from outside and inside the Ryman Auditorium:

We also traveled to Opryland and saw the adjoining Grand Ole Opry House. We took some pictures of the outside of the House, but since the Opry shows were being played at the Ryman, the House was closed. Here are a few pictures of the Grand Ole Opry House: